Saturday, November 10, 2007

Clinton "Plants" Her Foot In It

It may seem a small offense, just more fodder for a media so in wracked by its howling news addiction that it covers the comments of a tip-stiffed waitress, or it may be a deep emotional offense to caucusing Iowans, but it is nonetheless yet another gaffe for the struggling "unbeatbable" Hillary.

After her speech [in Newton, IO], Clinton accepted questions. But according to Grinnell College student Muriel Gallo-Chasanoff ’10, some of the questions from the audience were planned in advance. “They were canned,” she said. Before the event began, a Clinton staff member approached Gallo-Chasanoff to ask a specific question after Clinton’s speech. “One of the senior staffers told me what [to ask],” she said.

Clinton called on Gallo-Chasanoff after her speech to ask a question: what Clinton would do to stop the effects of global warming. Clinton began her response by noting that young people often pose this question to her before delving into the benefits of her plan.

But the source of the question was no coincidence—at this event “they wanted a question from a college student,” Gallo-Chasanoff said. She also noted that staffers prompted Clinton to call on her and another who had been approached before the event, although Clinton used her discretion to select questions and called on people who had not been prepped before hand. Some of the questions asked were confusing and clearly off-message.

Planting a question in the audience is a political strategy as old as politics and audiences. I've done it myself at public hearings from time to time, but always subtly -- more of an encouragement than an instruction.

Hillary's people, as becomes them, were more heavy-handed, recruiting and directing. And that's something at offends the spirit of the caucuses, according to the Fox:

In a state where the caucus is held sacred and the impromptu and candid style of the town hall meeting is held dear, Clinton’s planted question may come as a great offense to Iowans. ...

The campaign's admission that it planted the question may be another blow to the New York senator's image as a trustworthy politician.

Trustworthy? Who would possibly still think Clinton is trustworthy, especially given the next bit of lying from her staff. Here's a statement to Fox:

"On this occasion a member of our staff did discuss a possible question about Senator Clinton's energy plan at a forum,” [campaign spokesliar Mo] Elliethee said.

“However, Senator Clinton did not know which questioners she was calling on during the event. This is not standard policy and will not be repeated again.” (my emphasis)

But here's what Gallo-Chasanoff told the Grinnell paper:

But the source of the question was no coincidence—at this event “they wanted a question from a college student,” Gallo-Chasanoff said. She also noted that staffers prompted Clinton to call on her and another who had been approached before the event, although Clinton used her discretion to select questions and called on people who had not been prepped before hand.

It is classic HRC: Have the staff plant a question, then have the staff lie about the process, while all the w hile she's at the washstand, washing her hands of the entire matter with a sotto voce "Out damned spot!"

The whole affair isn't playing well in Iowa, as comments to the Des Moines Register's piece on the micro-scandal make clear:

Please, please Iowa caucus goers don't do this to the country and the world. The Democrats have a fine field of candidates who have a reasonable chance to retake the White House. Let's now blow it on one candidate who has such huge character flaws, dishonesty and an "It's owed me" mentality.

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Let me get this straight; a Clinton staffer admitted "a member of our staff did discuss a possible question about Senator Clinton's energy plan at a forum...." but then they claim Hellary had no idea?For crissakes how long can this broad go along having it both ways?

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This really doesn't surprise me . Hillary and Bill have been phonies for along time . The voters need to see through it.

"Thank you for the "Voice of the Victims films. The students really liked them, and it means so much to them to hear real stories and not watch a cheesy drama like so many other videos."
— High school teacher.